What is considered a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is a potentially painful situation that no one hopes to experience. But what would be considered a dental emergency and what should you do if one happens to you.
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About Emergency Dental Care
Any dental problem which requires immediate treatment in order to stop bleeding, cease the experience of severe pain, or save a tooth from requiring removal is generally considered an emergency. Severe infections that can potentially become life-threatening are also classified as emergency situations.
Dental Emergencies FAQs
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How do I know if I am experiencing a dental emergency?
If you're experiencing noticeable bleeding, pus secretion or swelling from your gums or teeth then these are all signs you are experiencing an emergency situation that requires dental care as soon as possible. Similarly, if you're experiencing unbearable and/or unexplained mouth pain, visit the dentist or your nearest emergency room immediately.
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How can I avoid common dental emergencies?
Taking proper preventive measures is your best defence against having a dental emergency. Simply ensuring you brush your teeth daily and floss every night before bed has a profound impact on your dental health. You should speak with your dentist and formulate strategies centred on your lifestyle to best protect the health of your teeth and avoid dental emergencies.
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What are examples of dental emergencies?
All of the following qualify as dental emergencies:
- Severe toothache
- chipped or broken tooth or teeth
- Fully knocked out tooth or teeth
- Losing a filling or a crown that was previously installed
- Broken braces or other orthodontic devices
- Unexplained abscesses in the mouth
- Bleeding and extreme pain following a tooth removal
- Badly bitten lip or tongue
If you're experiencing any of these conditions, contact your dentist immediately.
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What can I do to relieve pain or swelling?
If you're experiencing pain and swelling in your mouth, you should see a dentist or visit an ER as soon as possible. In the meantime, Ibuprofin is an over-the-counter medication that can alleviate pain and swelling. Ibuprofin is preferable to Asprin and other pain killers that thin the blood, as these can exacerbate a dental emergency or make the swelling more problematic.
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What will a dentist do in an emergency?
In an emergency situation, your dentist will, to the best of their abilities, seek to provide you with a quick diagnosis and treatment to minimize the harm and any discomfort caused by the emergency. If you believe you're experiencing a dental emergency, contact your dentist or visit a nearby emergency room immediately.
More from our blog about Emergency Dental Services
What to Do About a Dental Emergency While Playing Sports
If you avidly play sports then you will always be at risk of injuries while participating, this includes the risk of having a dental emergency while playing. Here we discuss some of the most common dental emergencies that could happen while playing sports and how to manage them.
How to Deal With a Dental Emergency at Home
You may experience the unfortunate situation of a dental emergency happening while you are at home, this can be a painful and frightening experience. What should you do if you have a dental emergency at home?
How to Avoid Dental Emergencies
One thing that no one hopes to ever have to deal with is dental emergencies as they can be painful and costly. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help avoid the chance of dental emergencies happening.